There is a certain kind of peace that is not merely the absence of war. It is larger than that. The peace I am thinking of is not at the mercy of history's rule, nor is it a passive surrender to the status quo. The peace I am thinking of is the dance of an open mind when it engages another equally open one.

--Toni Morrison, "The Dancing Mind"

Where is your mind? Where is it on a Saturday morning when you're rolling out of bed, grabbing for your iPhone, and scrolling through your email? Where is it on Friday at 11:20 p.m.? Where is it when you're driving through campus? While you're running on a treadmill, while you're printing out your paper, while you're sipping a latte? Where is your mind when you've lost your focus? When you've lost your purpose? When you can't seem to turn off auto-pilot? When your phone won't stop beeping and your calendar keeps growing?

It's time to challenge your mind -- to dance.

The Griot Institute for Africana Studies, in partnership with Library & IT, will host the Dancing Mind Challenge this fall. The Dancing Mind Challenge, based on Toni Morrison's reflections in her essay "The Dancing Mind" is an opportunity for Bucknell students, faculty and staff, and community members to "unplug" and read without electronic interruptions or distractions for several consecutive hours.

You may participate in the challenge by reading alone or you may join other participants in the 2nd floor lounge of Bertrand Library or the 3rd floor of the Barnes & Noble bookstore. Refreshments will be provided.

After completing the Dancing Mind Challenge, participants are asked to contribute their reflections on the experience to the Challenge Blog.

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